Sexuality and Relationships

Intimate relationships between wickerbeasts can range from the traditional, monogamous archtype to polyamorous. Within their society, the objective to pass on genes to ensure survivial surpasses the concept of romantic love. While romantic love is secondary it is still possible to achieve with a wickerbeast and well respected. This stark contrast can at times cause relationship deveolpment difficulties between species due to cultural differences.

Sexuality in wickers can also vary and is regarded in a neutral tone. Male and female can exhibit homosexual tendencies at times, one of the scenerios this can occur is with species surplus within a specific area eliminating competetion towards mating. If for some reason there are little to no males present within an area, the group takes a more Amazonian structure with the most dominant female taking leadership role with sexual acts having a more dominance orientened role rather than reproductive.

Reproduction Cycle

Female wickerbeasts are polyestrus meaning they go through what is known as an estrus cycle versus the menstrual cycle of humans. This cycle typically lasts 3-5 weeks during the fall and winter seasons along with pregnancy occuring through induced ovulation. Factors such as change in environment and illness can alter frequency of the cycle as well.

Once started, females release a strong horomonal scent that makes males more receptive to the female's presense. For males, this change in horomones makes them more territorial of the female rather than sexually aggressive. Once the estrus cycle has passed, both male and female enter a "cool down" period. During this period, both are in an almost asexual-like phase due to the sudden surge of horomone changes. Once their body regulates itself back to normal, they can resume sexual activity if desired but is treated as more of an action to do out of: boredom, recreation, or form of bonding.

Disclaimer: Due to having a strand of ancient DNA from their ancestors that produced milk, female wickerbeasts have the capability of producing estrogen. Estrogen levels are typically on the lower end, but some do produce just enough to tart the development of breasts but not enough for them to be functional. Due to this, their breasts are nothing more than leftover secondary sex traits.

Offspring

Size difference from left to right between eggs: chicken, rogue, standard, and king.

Example of a swamp wickerbeast egg, energy is received through the darker marking on the top.

Mainland and swamp wickerbeasts also differ in how they have their young. The two classes have separate gestation periods: mainland being 3-4 weeks with swamp being typically 2. A healthy mainland wicker will normally produce 5-6 eggs for their clutch while a swamp wickerbeast has 2-3 at a time.

Mainland eggs vary in size in relation to sub-type while also having the egg shell as the young's base fur color. In contrast, swamp wickerbeast eggs are transparent with a jelly-like texture. While mainland eggs have color, swamp young are born pale only receiving their true coat a few weeks after hatching. In reference to size, swamp young are also born with similar heights, having their first growth spurt within a month of hatching.

To note location for the clutches differ as well: mainland preferring thick, dense brush while swamp have their young in shallow, non-moving bodies of water.